maybe even congressman paul ryan will fill out one for him. here's his reason why he and romney lost the white house. >> i think it's closer than you think. there's the big debate that revolves, you know, they really did a phenomenal job on technology and turn out. i don't see this as a rejection of our principles. i think we need to do a better job of applying our principles to the problems of the day. >> no, no way it was a rejection of principles. this is carl rove level of denial here. so republicans, take a seat. i know where you can find one and watch who's moving america forward while you sit down. just like he did today. >>> joining me now is joan walsh, editor at large at "salon.com," msnbc analyst. and dana milbank, editor for "washington post." >>> dana, let me go to you first. weren't president obama's nominations today a perfect example of how elections have consequences? >> well, sitting where i'm sitting, not in the clint eastwood chair, i would say yes, it certainly does. it's a case of continuing a very tough policy of enforce